SMOKE-IN IN DC--FREEPER HELP REQUESTED!

Okay, folks, here's a ready-made photo op. Represent FR and the FR smokers and friends at GWU. Teach those kiddies with heads full of mush what America's supposed to be about. Not social engineering and behavioral manipulation, not punitive taxation and stigmatizing one in four of your neighbors!

I've had an interesting dialogue with an anti-freedom journalist in the past week that ended rather well. Here's my last message to him.

I don't think civil discourse between two reasonable human beings with differing points of view is time wasted. You're right about the environmental tobacco smoke issue; that's why it was chosen. The anti-smoker cartel is heavily invested in the idea that ets kills. As huckster Stanton Glantz noted in 1986 that claim allows anti-smokers to "use the rhetoric of the environment, toxic chemicals, and public health rather than the rhetoric of saving smokers from themselves."

In addition to that well-funded plan of attack, the real reason we will lose--and I believe it's a loss of far more than the "right" to smoke--is apathy.And when we have all accepted the idea that it is our duty to provide a healthy body for the use of the State and the fanatic healthists have won, when smoking tobacco has become illegal and the stubborn remnants of the wilfully addicted are re-educated or jailed, the zealots will move on to something else. They'll have a far easier time then because the rules have already changed to disallow individuality, private property, and all those other pesky traits we Americans are supposed to value most.

With any luck, I won't be around to see it.

If I lived anywhere near DC, I'd sure as hell be there on Friday! What do you want to bet there won't be ONE person there on our side? That's what's so damn depressing.

Here's a good one:

IF YOU DON'T SMOKE, I WON'T PUKE

Good debate, the little we see of it. :-}

I don't know that we are loosing the battle, it's far from over in Canada....... we shall see.

IF YOU DON'T SMOKE, I WON'T PUKE

Man....... you have got to get a new line.

This is the News Center page for G.W. University. This is the opportunity we're missing if no one shows up.

Hey, PukeHead, what's your problem? You're too blinded by your hate to see the facts staring you in the face. You don't like smoking, stay the hell away from smokers!

IF YOU DON'T SMOKE, I WON'T PUKE

I was going to say, "Puke your brains out, Drango."

But then I thought a sec, and now I'm at a loss for words...

Wait a sec, I've got it: "Puke your guts out, Drango. You'll lose that spare tire around your waistline."

Not a point that I would care to argue with health advocates. I would argue with a lawmaker but he will just bring health advocates.

I argued hellmet laws 30 years ago. That was different. I smoke, will smoke and like to smoke. If cigs are outlawed I will roll my own with bootleg tobacco, but it's my life and bod. I can't argue the health risks with armloads of stats. Fuhgetaboutit!

I can't argue the health risks with armloads of stats. Fuhgetaboutit!

But their stat's are numbers pulled out of a hat.

The stats may be bogus interpretations but it is near impossible to refute the lies, once they have been repeated hundreds of times. They just sneer at you and do the whataboutthechildren dance. Waste of time.

How about
If you don't be stupid I won't grit my teeth.

Love to be there, Max, but it's a little far away for a one day trip.
For you also I think.
Any smoking FReepers in Virginia or Washington DC that could make it?
I'm sure that Max, myself, or Gabz could give you some ammunition to use against the antis.

Joe, I'm saddened to report that not one single Freeper stepped up to the plate on this; guess I'll have to stop preaching about Freeper activists being what's going to turn this country around.

On a higher note, however, we found some folks on our own mailing lists who jumped in and actually DID something instead of just bitching.

Here's the report from the Front:

It's 6:20 a.m. here; in a couple hours, Liz will be manning the table at George Washington University, with all the information she needs to properly represent smokers' issues.

It was nip & tuck all the way. Yesterday at this time neither Liz nor I had been able to get a response from Faith (the coordinator for GWU); Liz had not even spoken to her yet and we needed details~ simple details like where Liz should go on campus. Little stuff like that.

In the meantime, Spinner and Michael had been working feverishly through the night to produce materials for hand-outs. The night before and yesterday morning was spent e-mailing these materials to Liz. I wasn't even sure this was still on; not being able to make contact with Faith, but felt we had to keep plugging away.

Spinner came up with the most fantastic little 8 !/2 x 11 color poster and coordinated larger one on two sheets that had to be put together. Spinn would send to me, I'd test print and send back my opinions; this went on till the wee hours of the morning.

At the same time, Michael searched his files for appropriate information and situated a number of them so each subject would print out on it's own titled sheet. He then came up with other pieces relative to the cause and was sending those yesterday.

One-thirty p.m. yesterday we had still not heard from Faith. Fortunately Liz and I were communicating. She was getting concerned now; she'd called Faith the night before at home and had left a msg.~ told her to call the University switchboard to get an urgent msg. to Faith. I had to leave for a couple hours and told Liz I'd check my mail as soon as I returned. I then sent another quick e-mail to Faith saying it was imperative that she contact Liz, she needed details and we're both worried about this timing. Just before walking out the door, I did one last check of mail; received a msg. from Spinn saying that Liz told her the color posters did not open for her, she got blank pages; she didn't have MS Word. Murphy's Law. Would have to deal with that when I got back.

While out & about, I spoke to Terry and told him about the color poster situation. He came up with the suggestion of the possibility of the school having an electrical outlet available for a computer; and the computer of course, for an electronic hook-up. When Terry and I got to my place (now mind you, this is like 5: or 5:30 p.m./ 8: - 8:30 p.m. E.T. and as far as I knew, Liz still had printing to get done,) I placed a call to Faith; only half-heartedly expecting to get her, but I did. Explained the color sheet event turned the phone over to Terry. From the part of the conversation I heard; they were able to accommodate us. I spoke to her again and she is going to bring her lap-top and Liz would be able to produce color copies as they are needed and at the same time, the FORCES web site will be displayed. BINGO!!! YES!!! Felt it was good P.R. to include a little light conversation before ending the call. Found that Faith also tried to get the Heart Assoc., Lung Assoc. and such, and they declined. I loved Terry's remark when I hung up: "I love it!!!"

In re. to the associations declining, Terry said, "Well, those students aren't legislating." "True, but they will be very soon. They should realize that. But all the better for us." We must never forget the students; they are the real activists; they are the one's who still have all that energy to fight the good fight. I sincerely hope that we're able to get some of those students as members. We need them. Before this event, the path to recruiting college and university students was very foggy, that's one of the reasons this event was so important; it opens a door that had been previously closed to us.

O.K., on to the next call. Liz. Gentleman who answered said she had to step out to the store for a short time would be back in half an hour; 6:30/ 9:30. Suspected she was out printing. I was right; she got there just as the shop was closing, but persuaded the fellow to let her use the self-serve copiers and then asked how to do it~ ultimately, he ended up doing it. :-) "Gentle Persuasion." Liz said she put the forces.org logo on the bottom of every sheet and they looked great. Also, unbeknownst to me, she made up copies of something she'd done in 2000 called "Diddley Squat" who is one of her pet Hamsters; the other one's name is Yarash. This is nice to know when you read it. It is one of the cutest things I've ever seen. And what a good idea~ people congregate where the fun is happening. Splendid. She also got something from James Leavey's files. We have excellent information. The color hand-out called "We are Americans Too" which is a side that must be presented; makes you stop and think. You'll love it. We've got "Diddley Squat" which you'll also love with its light heartedness. And we've got the facts to present. No downers, no attacks on our opponents, but rather a full range of good nature to "Only the Facts, Ma'm." I'm going to forward these things to you, so you'll all have them in case we get to do another presentation such as this. Liz had also spoken to Faith and they had all their ducks in a row. Told her about the computer she would have for the color prints and the Forces website.

Terry and I talked for a while, had a bite to eat, tried to get a Stomper label made for a CD; that did not, under any circumstances, want to be made, and talked some more. I was letting down, while at the same time was being refreshed by that wonderful feeling of success. This project was going to fly! The phone rang and the voice said, "This is Elizabeth." I thought, "Elizabeth who?" You can't change horses in mid stream with me, especially when my brain is in re-organization mode. It was Liz. Had a nice long conversation and found out a lot more about her. She's a very talented person; a real activist. It was good to get to talk to her without the stress.

So that's how it happened. It took a bunch of tenacity, coupled with the determination & dedicated help of a few good people, but we've succeeded in leveling the playing field at GWU.

Liz's report:

;Fridays don't get any better than this," said a male student, grabbing one of the free "Smoke In" ashtrays provided by the University for the last day of what was billed "controversy week."

But where was the controversy? Actually, there wasn't. It was a celebration of smoking. Free ashtrays and more than a few incidents of "hey, can I bum a cigarette?"

Oh, there were many non-smokers. But no antis. "I don't smoke," said another student. Glancing at the ashtrays, he added, "these free?" I said "sure." He picked one up and explained, "my psychology professor smokes all the time. This might help my grade."

The "Smoke In" was the last of four "controversy week" events at George Washington University. The first, on Tuesday, featured a "carnivore or vegetarian" fair. It was followed on Wednesday by the great marijuana debate. Thursday was devoted to the question: "Why Alcohol Education Sucks." The Smoke In came last. All were held in a little plaza next to the University's Gelman Library.

And the weather was lovely - bright and sunny, though a bit on the cool side (temperature in the upper sixties). Because of a breeze that kicked up regularly, I had to divert several of the give-away ashtrays to anchor piles of literature. There were about 100 to 150 of the little black ashtrays that were specially made for the occasion. "SMOKE IN, April 26, Controversy Week," they read on one side. And on the other: "Program Board, The George Washington University."

Food and drinks were provided free, as well. And many students hung around to talk while they ate burgers and hot dogs.

The response of the students to this official "cigarette day" could be broken down into three categories. First were the smokers, many arriving at the table with lit cigarettes in hand.

And there were the non-smokers, but none that wanted to argue the anti-tobacco line. Some hurriedly rushed by without even giving the conspicuous set-up so much as a glance. Others stayed around to talk. Tolerance? Well, they felt they could tolerate that.

And finally, there were the promoters. One enthusiastic student found himself a podium, a circular, stone bench where students sit and eat. And smoke. "Smoking is cool," he preached to everyone passing by. "Smoke a cigarette, save American industry."

He stayed until the program ended.

Another hung around and doubled as cigarette promoter and distributor -- he'd come "borrow" cigarettes for anyone too shy to ask.

Others sat around the table for a while, helping to hand out literature. Even the non smokers, for the most part, were interested in the handouts, if they bothered to stop long enough to notice.

There were a few who hung around to "debate," but there really was no debate. "I can see why people like smoking" was a typical response. So was "I don't believe in telling people what to do."

Another youth accepted my offer of a free ashtray. He didn't smoke either. "It's for my mother. This'll keep me in the will, at least."

"Our tuition dollars at work," laughed one student as she proudly showed her friends the free ashtray she'd acquired - she, too, was a smoker. And another who hung around for most of the two-hour event commented, "Hey, I should have bought cheap cigarettes in Virginia and sold them for three dollars a pack."

They say that young people tend to be more socially libertarian and fiscally conservative than past generations. And that seemed to be the case here, judging by remarks made by non-smokers. Condemnation of smokers is "gross." Let people decide for themselves. But have well ventilated spaces for people who don't like it. And that's fine with me. More importantly, it's fine for everybody.

More than a few people were surprised and curious to see the "smoke in." I was asked on one occasion if we are "promoting" tobacco use. No. That's not it. We like people - everyone, smokers and non-smokers alike. We are just promoting an attitude: tolerance.

"Hmmmm," came a slow, thoughtful response. "I guess that's pretty good."

Another student belonged to a local band, and stood silently, his a guitar on his back, taking in the signs and flyers. We started talking. "Nab yourself an ashtray. It's free," I said. "You know you can't be a rock star if you don't smoke." He laughed. "Yeah. That's sorta right."

"You giving away cigarettes, too?" another wanted to know. I explained what I was told by program coordinator Faith: The school had asked Philip Morris to donate some and they refused. "So, hey, write to them if you want to complain," I suggested. "We tried."

What to do about the anti-smokers, another wanted to know. "Ignore them and they'll go away."

Okay, I admit that's a bit optimistic. But if everyone did that, the anti's really would be looking for work. And, after all, the "Smoke In" was a day for optimism. It was all about freedom.

Light up. Enjoy.

It couldn't have been better. The antis, I had been told earlier, were invited but declined to come. Their only presence at the table was two large, spiral-bound books, each about an inch thick and labeled "Campaign For Tobacco-Free Kids." They showed up about an hour into the occasion. And, quite appropriately, they evoked a visual image of a tedious, boring class assignment.

By 1:00 p.m. when it was time to start packing away the literature, nearly all of the ashtrays had been given away (I got to keep two). There were flyers to spare, but those that didn't take it away did, at least, look it over and read parts of it.

And our biggest promoter was still out there. "Real men smoke cigarettes," he called out to a group of three guys that were obviously friends of his. "Smokers are better lovers," he announced as the table was being dismantled. A young woman looked over at him curiously. "Oh, so you don't believe me....?" he asked playfully, a cigarette dangling from his mouth.

Yes, it was fun. It was great. Or, as that first young man said it so well, Fridays don't get better than this. ___________

Thank you, Carol, Terry, Spinner, Michael and Liz. If we could clone you a few thousand times, we might be able to overcome the anti juggernaut.

Thank you, Carol, Terry, Spinner, Michael and Liz. If we could clone you a few thousand times, we might be able to overcome the anti juggernaut.

I second that. I would have given anything to have been there - but I had previous committements that kept me occupied until well after noon.

The reports from the front are great!!!!!!

WOW, a lot of work, on behalf of all of us THANK YOU.

Thank you, Carol, Terry, Spinner, Michael and Liz. If we could clone you a few thousand times, we might be able to overcome the anti juggernaut.

Excellent reports, thanks to everybody involved.

I am surprised that the health associations didn't want to partake, on the other hand they probably know they don't have a leg to stand on...telling lies protected from the public is one thing, but facing those lies, is something else.